U.S. patent number 9,713,949 [Application Number 14/850,379] was granted by the patent office on 2017-07-25 for vehicle body structure.
This patent grant is currently assigned to TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA. The grantee listed for this patent is TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Invention is credited to Tatsuya Ayukawa, Shinya Kamimura.
United States Patent |
9,713,949 |
Kamimura , et al. |
July 25, 2017 |
Vehicle body structure
Abstract
A vehicle body structure includes a frame structure portion
configured to define an opening; the frame structure portion
including a first panel having a first joint portion, a second
panel having a second joint portion, and a first adhesive portion
that adheres to the first joint portion and the second joint
portion; a windowpane that is provided on a vehicle outside of the
opening and that covers the opening; and a second adhesive portion
that adheres to the first panel, the second panel, and the
windowpane, wherein at least one of the first panel and the second
panel is made of resin, the second adhesive portion is arranged
closing off or covering an open end of a gap in a joint between the
first panel and the second panel, and the first adhesive portion is
arranged within the gap.
Inventors: |
Kamimura; Shinya (Toyota,
JP), Ayukawa; Tatsuya (Toyota, JP) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA |
Toyota-shi, Aichi-ken |
N/A |
JP |
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Assignee: |
TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
(Toyota, JP)
|
Family
ID: |
54147060 |
Appl.
No.: |
14/850,379 |
Filed: |
September 10, 2015 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20160075216 A1 |
Mar 17, 2016 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Sep 16, 2014 [JP] |
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2014-188279 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60J
5/107 (20130101); B60J 5/101 (20130101); B60J
1/18 (20130101); B60J 5/0481 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B60J
5/10 (20060101); B60J 5/04 (20060101); B60J
1/18 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;296/146.1-146.3,146.5,146.6,146.8,146.15,201,76,56 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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S59-53118 |
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Apr 1984 |
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JP |
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S63-151518 |
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Jun 1988 |
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JP |
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H04-116208 |
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Oct 1992 |
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JP |
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2010260519 |
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Nov 2010 |
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JP |
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2011-219000 |
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Nov 2011 |
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JP |
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2013-010436 |
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Jan 2013 |
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JP |
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2013-220688 |
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Oct 2013 |
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JP |
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2014-019359 |
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Feb 2014 |
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JP |
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2014-076707 |
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May 2014 |
|
JP |
|
2014-104790 |
|
Jun 2014 |
|
JP |
|
2014-131896 |
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Jul 2014 |
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JP |
|
Other References
Partial English translation of Oct. 18, 2016 Office Action issued
in Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-188279. cited by
applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Blankenship; Gregory
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Oliff PLC
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A vehicle body structure comprising: a frame structure portion
configured to define an opening, the frame structure portion
including a first panel having a first joint portion, a second
panel having a second joint portion, and a first adhesive portion
that adheres to the first joint portion and the second joint
portion: a windowpane that is provided on a vehicle outside of the
opening and that covers the opening; and a second adhesive portion
that adheres to the first panel, the second panel, and the
windowpane, wherein at least one of the first panel and the second
panel is made of resin, the second adhesive portion is arranged
closing off or covering an open end of a gap in a joint between the
first panel and the second panel, the first adhesive portion is
arranged within the gap, the first panel includes an extended
portion that extends in a direction toward an end portion of the
windowpane via a stepped portion from the first joint portion, the
extended portion is arranged such that the open end is positioned
between an end portion of the second joint portion and the stepped
portion, and the second adhesive portion adheres to the end portion
of the second joint portion, the extended portion, and the
windowpane.
2. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1, wherein the
first adhesive portion is a structural adhesive.
3. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1, wherein water
resistance of the second adhesive portion is higher than the water
resistance of the first adhesive portion.
4. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1, wherein the
second adhesive portion is an adhesive, and the second adhesive
portion is arranged closing off the open end of the gap.
5. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1, wherein the
second adhesive portion is an adhesive, and the second adhesive
portion is filled in the gap from the open end of the gap.
6. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1, wherein the
second adhesive portion includes: an elastic body that is arranged
between the first panel, the second panel, and the windowpane; a
first adhesive member that adheres to the elastic body and the
windowpane, and seals a gap between the elastic body and the
windowpane; and a second adhesive member that seals a gap between
the elastic body and the first panel, and a gap between the elastic
body and the second panel.
7. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1, wherein the
first panel is a door inner panel that is made of resin, the door
inner panel being a part of a back door and facing a vehicle
interior, the second panel is a door outer panel that is made of
resin, the door outer panel being a part of the back door and
facing a vehicle exterior, and the windowpane is a rear window
glass of the back door.
8. A vehicle body structure comprising: a frame structure portion
configured to define an opening, the frame structure portion
including a first panel having a first joint portion, a second
panel having a second joint portion, and a first adhesive portion
that adheres to the first joint portion and the second joint
portion: a windowpane that is provided on a vehicle outside of the
opening and that covers the opening; and a second adhesive portion
that adheres to the first panel, the second panel, and the
windowpane, wherein at least one of the first panel and the second
panel is made of resin, the second adhesive portion is arranged
closing off or covering an open end of a gap in a joint between the
first panel and the second panel, the first adhesive portion is
arranged within the gap, and the first panel includes an extended
portion that is adjacent to the first joint portion, and is
arranged on the same plane as the first joint portion, the open end
of the gap is arranged between an end portion of the second joint
portion and the first joint portion, and the second adhesive
portion adheres to the end portion of the second joint portion, the
extended portion, and the windowpane.
9. A vehicle body structure comprising: a frame structure portion
configured to define an opening, the frame structure portion
including a first panel having a first joint portion, a second
panel having a second joint portion, and a first adhesive portion
that adheres to the first joint portion and the second joint
portion; a windowpane that is provided on a vehicle outside of the
opening and that covers the opening; and a second adhesive portion
that adheres to the first panel, the second panel, and the
windowpane, wherein at least one of the first panel and the second
panel is made of resin, the second adhesive portion is arranged
closing off or covering an open end of a gap in a joint between the
first panel and the second panel, and the first adhesive portion is
arranged within the gap, the vehicle body structure further
comprising: a dam member that is provided farther on an end portion
side of the windowpane than the second adhesive portion, and seals
a gap between the first panel and the windowpane.
10. The vehicle body structure according to claim 9, wherein the
first joint portion and the second joint portion are arranged on
the same plane across the gap, and the first joint portion and the
second joint portion are joined together by the first adhesive
portion being filled in a portion or all of the gap, and the second
adhesive portion adheres to the first joint portion, the second
joint portion, and the windowpane.
11. The vehicle body structure according to claim 9, wherein the
first panel includes a vertical wall portion that is bent toward
the windowpane from an end portion of the first joint portion, the
open end of the gap is arranged between an end portion of the
second joint portion and the vertical wall portion, and the second
adhesive portion adheres to the vertical wall portion, the end
portion of the second joint portion, and the windowpane.
Description
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-188279 filed
on Sep. 16, 2014 including the specification, drawings and abstract
is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a vehicle body structure.
2. Description of Related Art
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-220688 (JP
2013-220688 A) describes technology related to a back door made of
resin, illustrated in FIG. 4 of that publication, as one example of
a vehicle body structure. In brief, with the related art, a frame
portion of the back door is formed by joining together a door inner
panel and a door outer panel, both made of resin, by adhesive.
Further, a rear window glass is joined to an edge portion of the
door outer panel by adhesive. To simplify the description, the
former adhesive will be referred to as a "first adhesive", and the
latter adhesive will be referred to as a "second adhesive".
When examining the joint structure of the back door from the
viewpoint of waterproofness, water that has gotten in from the
outside the rear window glass is kept out by the second adhesive.
However, condensation water that adheres to the inside of the rear
window glass is unable to be kept out by the second adhesive, and
therefore penetrates to the first adhesive side. However, with the
related art described above, a terminal portion of the edge portion
of the door outer panel is curved toward the first adhesive side,
so the condensation water is inhibited to some extent from
penetrating to the first adhesive side by this curved portion.
With the related art described above, condensation water is thought
to be inhibited to some extent from penetrating to the first
adhesive side by the curved portion. However, in cases such as when
vibration is transmitted to the door inner panel and the door outer
panel due to road surface input, a gap is created between a tip end
of the curved portion and the door inner panel, and as a result,
condensation water may penetrate to the first adhesive side.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention thus provides a vehicle body structure capable of
inhibiting both water from outside a windowpane, and condensation
water that adheres to the inside of the windowpane, from getting
in.
A first aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle body structure
includes a frame structure portion configured to define an opening,
the frame structure portion including a first panel having a first
joint portion, a second panel having a second joint portion, and a
first adhesive portion that adheres to the first joint portion and
the second joint portion; a windowpane that is provided on a
vehicle outside of the opening and that covers the opening; and a
second adhesive portion that adheres to the first panel, the second
panel, and the windowpane, wherein at least one of the first panel
and the second panel is made of resin, the second adhesive portion
is arranged closing off or covering an open end of a gap in a joint
between the first panel and the second panel, and the first
adhesive portion is arranged within the gap.
Here, the first adhesive portion is spread out in a state pressed
between the first joint portion and the second joint portion. In
this aspect of the invention, the second adhesive portion is
arranged closing off or covering an open end of a gap in a joint
between first panel and the second panel, and within which the
first adhesive portion is arranged, and this second adhesive
portion adheres to the first panel and the second panel, and the
windowpane. As a result, water that has gotten in from outside the
windowpane and condensation water that adheres to the inside of the
windowpane are both able to be stopped by the second adhesive
portion. That is, water is physically prevented from getting into
the gap formed at the joint between the first panel and the second
panel by the second adhesive portion.
As described above, the vehicle body structure according to this
aspect of the invention has a beneficial effect in which both water
from outside the windowpane and condensation water that adheres to
the inside of the windowpane are able to be effectively prevented
or inhibited from getting in.
In the aspect of the example embodiment described above, the first
adhesive portion may be a structural adhesive.
According to this structure, the first adhesive portion is a
structural adhesive, so high rigidity is able to be obtained.
Therefore, the frame structure portion is able to have high
rigidity even if the weight of the vehicle is reduced by making at
least one of the first panel and the second panel out of resin.
This structure has a beneficial effect in which high rigidity of
the frame structure portion is able to be ensured without adding a
metal reinforcing structure, and thus the support rigidity of the
windowpane is able to be increased, while reducing the weight of
the vehicle.
In the aspect of the invention described above, water resistance of
the second adhesive portion may be higher than the water resistance
of the first adhesive portion.
According to this structure, the water resistance of the second
adhesive portion is higher than the water resistance of the first
adhesive portion, so water that has gotten in from outside the
windowpane and condensation water that adheres to the inside of the
windowpane are able to be prevented from getting into the gap
formed at the joint between the first panel and the second panel.
That is, the second adhesive portion serves as a water stop.
The structure described above has beneficial effects in which water
is able to be physically prevented from getting into the gap formed
at the joint between the first panel and the second panel by the
second adhesive portion, and water is able to be stopped by the
property (physical property) of the second adhesive portion. In
particular, the vehicle body structure with the first adhesive
portion made of a structural adhesive and the second adhesive
portion having higher water resistance than the water resistance of
the first adhesive portion, is extremely advantageous in that
interfacial peeling between the structural adhesive and the first
panel or the second panel is able to be prevented by the second
adhesive portion effectively preventing or inhibiting water from
getting in.
In the aspect of the invention described above, the first panel may
include an extended portion that extends in a direction toward an
end portion of the windowpane via a stepped portion from the first
joint portion, the extended portion may be arranged such that the
open end is positioned between an end portion of the second joint
portion and the stepped portion, and the second adhesive portion
may adhere to the end portion of the second joint portion, the
extended portion, and the windowpane.
According to this structure, the open end of the gap described
above is arranged between the end portion of the second joint
portion and the stepped portion of the first panel, when the second
joint portion of the second panel is in a state joined to the first
joint portion of the first panel by the first adhesive portion. In
this state, the second adhesive portion adheres to the end portion
of the second joint portion, the extended portion of the first
panel and the windowpane, and closes off or covers the open end of
the gap. In this structure, a step does not easily form between the
extended portion of the first panel and the second joint portion of
the second panel, so these are able to be made flush by setting the
height of the step. Consequently, a worker is able to easily
arrange the second adhesive portion on the extended portion of the
first panel and the second joint portion of the second panel.
This structure has a beneficial effect in which workability with
respect to the application of the second adhesive portion is able
to be improved, and the work time of this application is able to be
shortened. The application of the second adhesive portion is the
process before assembling the windowpane to the first panel and the
second panel.
In the aspect of the invention described above, the first panel may
include an extended portion that is adjacent to the first joint
portion, and be arranged on the same plane as the first joint
portion, and the open end of the gap may be arranged between an end
portion of the second joint portion and the first joint portion,
and the second adhesive portion may adhere to the end portion of
the second joint portion, the extended portion, and the
windowpane.
According to this structure, the extended portion of the first
panel and the second joint portion of the second panel are able to
be joined, together with the windowpane, by the second adhesive
portion, even if the first panel does not undergo a process to form
a step or the like thereon. Therefore, a processing operation of
the door first panel is able to be omitted.
As a result, this structure has a beneficial effect in which
productivity is able to be improved, and the cost is able to be
reduced accordingly.
In the aspect of the invention described above, the first joint
portion and the second joint portion may be arranged on the same
plane across the gap, the first joint portion and the second joint
portion may be joined together by the first adhesive portion being
filled in a portion or all of the gap, and the second adhesive
portion adheres to the first joint portion, the second joint
portion, and the windowpane.
According to this structure, water is able to be inhibited or
prevented from penetrating to the first adhesive portion side, even
if the first joint portion of the first panel and the second joint
portion of the second panel do not overlap. Also, in this case, the
first joint portion and the second joint portion are able to be
made flush, so a worker is able to easily arrange the second
adhesive portion on the first joint portion of the first panel and
the second joint portion of the second panel. Furthermore, neither
the first joint portion of the first panel nor the second joint
portion of the second panel need to undergo special processing, so
a processing operation of the panel is able to be omitted.
In addition, the positional relationship of the first adhesive
portion and the second adhesive portion is such that they overlap
when viewed from the windowpane side, so an effect in which the
second adhesive portion directly adds to the joining (adhering)
effect of the first joint portion and the second joint portion by
the first adhesive portion is able to be obtained. That is, the gap
between the first joint portion and the second joint portion is set
narrow, so even if the first adhesive portion is filled into the
gap, the adhesion range (area) thereof is limited. However, the
second adhesive portion joins (adheres) the first joint portion and
the second joint portion together in a position overlapping with
the first adhesive portion when viewed from the windowpane side, so
the second adhesive portion is able to add to the adhesive force of
the first adhesive portion.
Thus, according to the second variation of this example embodiment,
the joining force (adhesive force) between the first joint portion
and the second joint portion by the first adhesive portion is able
to be reinforced by the second adhesive.
In the aspect of the invention described above, the first panel may
include a vertical wall portion that is bent toward the windowpane
from an end portion of the first joint portion, the open end of the
gap may be arranged between an end portion of the second joint
portion and the vertical wall portion, and the second adhesive
portion may adhere to the vertical wall portion, the end portion of
the second joint portion, and the windowpane.
According to this structure, the first panel is provided with the
vertical wall portion that is bent from the end portion of the
first joint portion, so this vertical wall portion is able to be
used as a water stop wall.
Therefore, according to this structure, water that gets in from
outside the windowpane and condensation water that adheres to the
inside surface of the windowpane is able to be effectively
inhibited or prevented from penetrating to the first adhesive
portion side, while the cost required for the second adhesive
portion is able to be kept down.
In the aspect of the invention described above, the second adhesive
portion may be an adhesive, and the second adhesive portion may be
arranged closing off the open end of the gap.
According to this structure, the second adhesive portion does not
need to be filled into the gap, so the amount of second adhesive
portion that is applied (used) is able to be reduced.
Therefore, this structure has a beneficial effect in which the
water stop member is able to be eliminated, so the cost is able to
be reduced accordingly.
In the aspect of the invention described above, the second adhesive
portion may be an adhesive, and the second adhesive portion may be
filled in the gap from the open end of the gap.
According to this structure, the second adhesive portion that is an
adhesive is filled inside the gap from the open end of the gap, so
the adhesion area of the first panel and the second panel increases
by that amount.
Therefore, this structure has a beneficial effect in which the
joining strength between the first panel and the second panel is
able to be increased.
In the aspect of the invention described above, the second adhesive
portion may include an elastic body that is arranged between the
first panel and the second panel, and the windowpane; a first
adhesive member that adheres to the elastic body and the
windowpane, and seals a gap between the elastic body and the
windowpane; and a second adhesive member that seals a gap between
the elastic body and the first panel, and a gap between the elastic
body and the second panel.
According to this structure, road surface input transmitted to the
frame structure portion when the vehicle is traveling is damped by
the elastic body.
Therefore, this structure has a beneficial effect in which
vibration of the windowpane when the vehicle is traveling is able
to be effectively suppressed.
In the aspect of the invention described above, a dam member may be
provided farther on an end portion side of the windowpane than the
second adhesive portion, and may seal a gap between the first panel
and the windowpane.
According to this structure, if water from outside the windowpane
tries to get in, this water is first inhibited from getting in by
the dam member.
Therefore, this structure has a beneficial effect in which water
from outside the windowpane is able to be more effectively
prevented from getting in (i.e., the water penetration inhibiting
effect is further increased).
In the aspect of the invention described above, the first panel may
be a door inner panel that is made of resin, the door inner panel
being a part of a back door and facing a vehicle interior, the
second panel may be a door outer panel that is made of resin, the
door outer panel being a part of the back door and facing a vehicle
exterior, and the windowpane may be a rear window glass of the back
door.
According to this structure, the operation of the aspect of the
invention described above is able to be obtained for a back door.
That is, water that gets in from outside the rear window glass and
condensation water that adheres to the inside of the rear window
glass are stopped by the second adhesive portion that is arranged
closing off or covering the open end of the gap formed at the joint
between the first panel and the second panel, and that adheres to
the door inner panel and the door outer panel, and the windowpane
together.
Therefore, this structure has a beneficial effect in which water
that gets in from outside the rear window glass and condensation
water that adheres to the inside of the rear window glass are able
to be effectively inhibited or prevented from penetrating to the
side with the first adhesive portion that joins the door inner
panel and the door outer panel together. Furthermore, this
structure has a beneficial effect in which the effects obtained by
the aspects of the invention are able to be obtained for a back
door.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of
exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described below with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals
denote like elements, and wherein:
FIG. 1 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 1-1 in FIGS.
4A and 4B, of a side portion sectional structure of a joint
structure of a back door according to a first example embodiment of
the invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 2-2 in FIG.
4A, of an upper sectional structure of the joint structure of the
back door according to the first example embodiment;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the main portions in FIG.
1;
FIG. 4A is a plan view of the exterior of a rear portion of a
vehicle provided with a back door to which the joint structure
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has been applied;
FIG. 4B is a side view of the exterior of the rear portion of the
vehicle provided with a back door to which the joint structure
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has been applied;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view corresponding to FIG. 3, which
shows a frame format of a joint structure according to a first
variation of a second example embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 6A is an enlarged view corresponding to FIG. 5, which shows a
frame format of a joint structure according to a second variation
of the second example embodiment;
FIG. 6B is an enlarged view of a similar structure (a modified
example) of the joint structure shown in FIG. 6A;
FIG. 7 is an enlarged view corresponding to FIG. 3, which shows a
frame format of a joint structure according to a first variation of
a third example embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 8 is an enlarged view corresponding to FIG. 3, which shows a
frame format of a joint structure according to a second variation
of the third example embodiment; and
FIG. 9 is an enlarged view corresponding to FIG. 1, which shows a
frame format of a joint structure according to a back door
according to a fourth example embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
Hereinafter, a first example embodiment of the vehicle body
structure according to the invention will be described with
reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. In the drawings, arrow FR indicates a
vehicle front side, and arrow UP indicates a vehicle upper side.
Further, arrow IN indicates the inside in a vehicle width
direction.
FIG. 4A is a plan view schematically showing a rear portion of a
vehicle provided with a back door according to this example
embodiment. Also, FIG. 4B is a side view schematically showing the
rear portion of the vehicle. As shown in these drawings, a back
door 12 for opening and closing a luggage compartment, not shown,
provided in a rear end portion of the vehicle 10 is provided on
this rear end portion in a manner able to open and close in a
vehicle vertical direction around an upper edge portion of the rear
end portion.
This back door 12 has a general L-shape in a vehicle side view, and
is formed by a door upper portion 16 that extends gently toward a
vehicle rear side from a rear end portion of a roof panel 14, and a
door lower portion 18 that extends toward a vehicle lower side from
a rear end portion of the door upper portion 16. The door upper
portion 16 to which a rear window glass 20 is mounted will be
described in detail later.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the door upper portion 16 includes a
frame structure portion 22 formed in a generally rectangular
frame-shape, and a rear window glass 20 as a windowpane that is
supported by the frame structure portion 22 and covers an opening
24 formed in the frame structure portion 22. The rear window glass
20 has a generally rectangular flat plate shape that is gently
curved toward the vehicle outside.
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a side portion of the frame structure
portion 22 cut in the vehicle width direction, and FIG. 2 is a
sectional view of an upper portion of the frame structure portion
22 cut in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Hereinafter, the
structure of the frame structure portion 22 will be described with
reference mainly to FIG. 1.
The frame structure portion 22 includes a door inner panel 26 as a
first panel arranged on the vehicle inside, and a door outer panel
28 as a second panel arranged on the vehicle outside. The door
inner panel 26 and the door outer panel 28 are both made of resin.
More specifically, the door inner panel 26 and the door outer panel
28 are made of CFRP (carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic).
The door outer panel 28 includes an outer side upper wall portion
28A arranged parallel to the rear window glass 20, an outer side
side wall portion 28B that is bent at a substantially right angle
in a direction away from the rear window glass 20 from an end
portion on the inside of the outer side upper wall portion 28A in
the vehicle width direction, and an outer side lower wall portion
28C that is bent at an obtuse angle toward the vehicle width
direction outside and extends toward the vehicle lower side from an
end portion on the extending direction side of the outer side side
wall portion 28B.
The door inner panel 26 includes an inner side side wall upper
portion 26A arranged to the outside of the outer side side wall
portion 28B in the vehicle width direction and parallel to the
outer side side wall portion 28B, and an inner side side wall lower
portion 26B that extends in an L-shape from an end portion on the
vehicle lower side of the inner side side wall upper portion 26A.
An inner side upper wall portion 26C is provided by the inner side
side wall upper portion 26A extending to the outer side upper wall
portion 28A and being bent toward the outside in the vehicle width
direction. An outer end portion 26D is provided by the door inner
panel 26 being bent at a substantially right angle toward the rear
window glass 20 side, on an end portion on the outer side of the
inner side upper wall portion 26C in the vehicle width direction.
Furthermore, an inner side lower wall portion 26E is provided by
the inner side side wall lower portion 26B extending to the outer
side lower wall portion 28C and being bent toward the vehicle upper
side and the inside in the vehicle width direction. A ball joint 30
of a damper stay, not shown, in which a male thread is formed on a
tip end portion, is fastened (fixed) to the inner side side wall
upper portion 26A by a nut 32. Therefore, the inner side side wall
upper portion 26A is formed with a thicker plate thickness than
other portions.
Here, as shown enlarged in FIG. 3, the outer side upper wall
portion 28A described above extends in the vehicle width direction
in a substantially straight line along the rear window glass 20.
Also, an outer side joint portion 34 as a second connecting portion
is provided on a portion of the outer side upper wall portion 28A
that is on the outside in the vehicle width direction.
Meanwhile, the inner side upper wall portion 26C described above
includes an inner side joint portion 26C1 as a first joint portion
that overlaps with the outer side joint portion 34, and an extended
portion 26C3 that extends farther toward the outside in the vehicle
width direction via a stepped portion 26C2 from an end portion of
the inner side joint portion 26C1 that is on the outside in the
vehicle width direction. The height of the stepped portion 26C2 is
substantially the same as the dimension of the plate thickness of
the outer side joint portion 34 plus the thickness of a hardened
structural adhesive 36 that will be described later. Therefore,
when the outer side joint portion 34 is in a state joined to the
inner side joint portion 26C1, the surface of the outer side joint
portion 34 and the surface of the extended portion 26C3 are
positioned on the same plane.
The outer side joint portion 34 is joined to the inner side joint
portion 26C1 by a structural adhesive 36 as a first adhering
portion being applied to the inner side joint portion 26C1 and the
outer side joint portion 34 then being overlapped with this
structural adhesive 36. Similarly, the outer side lower wall
portion 28C is joined to the inner side lower wall portion 26E by
the structural adhesive 36, as shown in FIG. 1. With this
structure, a closed sectional portion 38 is formed by the door
inner panel 26 and the door outer panel 28. A high-strength
low-elongation two component urethane adhesive, for example, may be
used as the structural adhesive 36.
Also, returning to FIG. 3, in a state in which the outer side joint
portion 34 is joined to the inner side joint portion 26C1, a gap 40
is formed between the inner side upper wall portion 26C and the
outer side upper wall portion 28A. An open end 40A of the gap 40 is
positioned between a tip end portion of the outer side joint
portion 34 and the stepped portion 26C2 of the inner side upper
wall portion 26C. A peripheral parts adhesive 42 is arranged as a
second adhesive portion to close off the open end 40A of the gap
40. This peripheral parts adhesive 42 adheres to the extended
portion 26C3 of the inner side upper wall portion 26C, the outer
side joint portion 34, and the rear window glass 20 together. A one
component urethane adhesive, for example, may be used as the
peripheral parts adhesive 42.
Also, the peripheral parts adhesive 42 is more water resistant than
the structural adhesive 36. A test regarding the level of water
resistance is performed based on JISK6850 (tension adhesion
strength test of adhesive). More specifically, two test pieces
(each having a width of 25 mm, length of 200 mm, and a height of
0.8 mm, for example) corresponding to a first panel and a second
panel are prepared, and these test pieces are joined together by
the test adhesive with a joining allowance of 10 mm. Then adhered
test pieces are immersed for a predetermined period of time (such
as 10 days, for example) in hot water of a predetermined
temperature (such as 60.degree. C., for example), and after which a
tension tensile water resistance test (tensile shear test) is
performed at normal temperature. After the test is complete, the
load generated at the time of fracture and the failure state are
ascertained, and the level of water resistance is determined based
on these. The generated load is unable to be completely determined
due to the fact that the presumed input load differs depending on
the part to be used (the intended purpose of the part), but it is
be determined for each company when the part to be used is
determined. There are three different kinds of failure states. If
an interface failure occurs, in which a failure occurs at the
boundary between one of the test pieces and the adhesive, the water
resistance is given a low valuation. On the other hand, if a
cohesion failure occurs, in which the adhesive itself fails, or if
a material failure occurs, in which one of the test pieces itself
fails, the water resistance is given a high valuation. When the
test pieces are adhered together using the high-strength
low-elongation two component urethane adhesive given as an example
of the structural adhesive 36, interfacial peeling occurs.
Therefore, the water resistance of the high-strength low-elongation
two component urethane adhesive is given a low valuation. On the
other hand, when the test pieces are adhered together using the one
component urethane adhesive given as an example of the peripheral
parts adhesive 42, cohesion failure occurs. Therefore, the
resistance of the one component urethane adhesive is given a high
valuation.
A dam member 44 is a water stop member outside the peripheral parts
adhesive 42 in the vehicle width direction. The dam member 44 may
be adjacent to the peripheral parts adhesive 42. The dam member 44
is arranged on the extended portion 26C3. As a result, a gap
between the extended portion 26C3 and the rear window glass 20 is
sealed.
The structure above is also the similar at the upper portion of the
frame structure portion 22 shown in FIG. 2, so the same reference
characters as those used in FIG. 1 will be used and a description
will be omitted. The structure shown in FIG. 2 differs from the
structure shown in FIG. 1 in that the member that is fixed to the
inner side side wall upper portion 26A is not the ball joint 30,
but is a door side fixing portion 46B of a door hinge 46 of the
back door 12. The door hinge 46 includes a U-shaped hinge base 46A
that is fixed to a vehicle body upper portion rear end 48 by a bolt
52, the door side fixing portion 46B that extends in a tangential
direction from an upper end portion of the hinge base 46A, and a
hinge pin, not shown, that rotatably supports a base end portion of
the door side fixing portion 46B at the upper end portion of the
hinge base 46A. This door side fixing portion 46B is fastened
(fixed) to the inner side side wall upper portion 26A together with
a hinge retainer via the bolt 52 and a nut 54.
Next, the operation and effects of the example embodiment will be
described.
Both the door inner panel 26 and the door outer panel 28 are made
of resin (CFRP). Also, the frame structure portion 22 is formed by
the inner side joint portion 26C1 provided on the door inner panel
26 and the outer side joint portion 34 provided on the door outer
panel 28 being joined together by the structural adhesive 36. This
frame structure portion 22 defines the glass mounting opening 24,
and the rear window glass 20 is arranged so as to close off this
opening 24 from the vehicle outside.
Here, the structural adhesive 36 expands out in a state pressed
between the inner side joint portion 26C1 and the outer side joint
portion 34. In this example embodiment, the peripheral parts
adhesive 42 is arranged so as to close off the open end 40A of the
gap 40 formed between this inner side upper wall portion 26C and
the outer side upper wall portion 28A. The peripheral parts
adhesive 42 is adhered to the door inner panel 26, the door outer
panel 28, and the rear window glass 20. As a result, water that
gets in from outside the rear window glass 20 and condensation
water that adheres to the inside of the rear window glass 20 are
both kept out by the peripheral parts adhesive 42. That is, water
is physically prevented from getting into the gap 40 formed at the
joint between the inner side upper wall portion 26C and the outer
side upper wall portion 28A by the peripheral parts adhesive 42. As
a result, according to this example embodiment, water from outside
the rear window glass 20, as well as condensation water that
adheres to the inside of the rear window glass 20, are both able to
be effectively prevented or inhibited from getting into the gap
40.
Also, in this example embodiment, the first adhering portion is the
structural adhesive 36, so high rigidity is able to be obtained.
Therefore, the frame structure portion 22 is able to be highly
rigid even if the weight of the vehicle body is reduced by making
at least one of the door inner panel 26 and the door outer panel 28
out of resin. As a result, according to this example embodiment,
high rigidity of the frame structure portion 22 is able to be
obtained without adding a metal reinforcing member, while reducing
the weight of the vehicle body. Consequently, the support rigidity
of the rear window glass 20 is able to be increased.
Furthermore, in this example embodiment, the peripheral parts
adhesive 42 is more water resistant than the first adhesive portion
(i.e., the structural adhesive 36). Therefore, water that has
gotten in from outside the rear window glass 20 and condensation
water that adheres to the inside of the rear window glass 20 are
able to be prevented from getting into the gap 40 defined by the
inner side upper wall portion 26C and the outer side upper wall
portion 28A. That is, the peripheral parts adhesive 42 serves as a
water stop (i.e., a seal). As a result, this example embodiment is
able to obtain both an effect of physically preventing, by the
peripheral parts adhesive 42, water from getting into the gap 40
defined by the inner side upper wall portion 26C and the outer side
upper wall portion 28A, and an effect of stopping water by the
property of the peripheral parts adhesive 42. In particular, having
the peripheral parts adhesive 42 effectively prevent or inhibit
water from getting in enables interfacial peeling between the
structural adhesive 36 and the door inner panel 26 or the door
outer panel 28 to be prevented.
To elaborate on this, when making vehicle body parts such as the
back door that are usually made of metal, out of resin to reduce
weight, it is conceivable to employ a closed sectional structure
formed by a plurality of parts, and use a highly rigid structural
adhesive to join these parts together in order to ensure rigidity
equivalent to that of metal. However, in an environment in which
the structural adhesive (particularly a urethane adhesive) is
covered with water, interfacial peeling may occur between the
member and the structural adhesive, and as a result, adhesive
performance may not be able to be sufficiently displayed.
Therefore, from the viewpoint of ensuring stable strength quality,
care must be paid so that water does not penetrate the adhesive
portion. In contrast, in this example embodiment, water is
inhibited from getting into and collecting in the gap 40, by the
peripheral parts adhesive 42 that is highly water resistant closing
off the open end 40A of the gap 40, thereby avoiding a state in
which water contacts the structural adhesive 36. As a result,
interfacial peeling is able to be prevented from occurring between
the peripheral parts adhesive 42 and the door inner panel 26 or the
door outer panel 28.
Also, in this example embodiment, when the outer side joint portion
34 of the door outer panel 28 is arranged on the inner side joint
portion 26C1 of the door inner panel 26, the open end 40A of the
gap 40 described above is arranged between the end portion of the
outer side joint portion 34 and the stepped portion 26C2 of the
door inner panel 26. In this state, the peripheral parts adhesive
42 is adhered to the end portion of the outer side joint portion
34, the extended portion 26C3 of the door inner panel 26, and the
rear window glass 20, and the open end 40A of the gap 40 is closed
off by the peripheral parts adhesive 42. With this kind of example
embodiment, a step does not easily form between the extended
portion 26C3 of the door inner panel 26 and the outer side joint
portion 34 of the door outer panel 28, so these are able to be made
flush by setting the height of the stepped portion 26C2.
Consequently, a worker is able to easily arrange the peripheral
parts adhesive 42 on the extended portion 26C3 of the door inner
panel 26 and the outer side joint portion 34 of the door outer
panel 28. As a result, according to this example embodiment,
workability with respect to the application of the peripheral parts
adhesive 42 that is the process before assembling the rear window
glass 20 to the door inner panel 26 and the door outer panel 28 is
able to be improved, and the work time of this application is able
to be shortened.
Moreover, in this example embodiment, the peripheral parts adhesive
42 is arranged closing off the open end 40A of the gap 40. In other
words, the peripheral parts adhesive 42 does not need to be filled
into the gap 40, so the amount of peripheral parts adhesive 42 that
is applied (used) is able to be reduced. Thus, according to this
example embodiment, water that gets in from outside the rear window
glass 20 and condensation water that adheres to the inside surface
of the rear window glass 20 is able to be effectively inhibited or
prevented from penetrating to the structural adhesive 36 side,
while the cost required for the peripheral parts adhesive 42 is
able to be kept down.
Also, in this example embodiment, if water from outside the rear
window glass 20 tries to get in, this water is first inhibited from
getting in by the dam member 44. Therefore, water from outside the
rear window glass 20 is able to be more effectively prevented from
getting in.
Next, a second example embodiment of the vehicle body structure
according to the invention will be described with reference to
FIGS. 5 and 6. Component parts similar to those in the first
example embodiment described above will be denoted by like
reference characters, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.
In the second example embodiment, variations of the structures of
the first joint portion and the second joint portion will be
described.
FIG. 5 is a view of a first variation. In the first variation, a
door inner panel 60 as a first panel is formed in a flat plate
shape without any step. FIG. 5 is a view showing a frame format of
FIG. 3. That is, the door inner panel 60 includes a first joint
portion 60A, and an extended portion 60B that is adjacent to the
first joint portion 60A and is arranged on the same plane as the
first joint portion 60A. A second joint portion 62A of a door outer
panel 62 is jointed to the first joint portion 60A of the door
inner panel 60 by the structural adhesive 36. Therefore, the second
joint portion 62A overlaps with the first joint portion 60A via the
structural adhesive 36. Also, the open end 40A of the gap 40
described in the first example embodiment is arranged between an
end portion of the second joint portion 62A of the door outer panel
62 and the first joint portion 60A of the door inner panel 60.
Moreover, the end portion of the second joint portion 62A and the
extended portion 60B of the door inner panel 60 are joined,
together with the rear window glass 20, by the peripheral parts
adhesive 42.
According to this structure, when the second joint portion 62A of
the door outer panel 62 is arranged on the first joint portion 60A
of the door inner panel 60, the open end 40A of the gap 40
described above is arranged between the end portion of the second
joint portion 62A and the first joint portion 60A of the door inner
panel 60. In this state, the peripheral parts adhesive 42 is
adhered to the end portion of the second joint portion 62A, the
extended portion 60B of the door inner panel 60, and the rear
window glass 20, and closes off the open end 40A of the gap 40. In
this way, in the first variation of this example embodiment, the
extended portion 60B of the door inner panel 60 and the second
joint portion 62A of the door outer panel 62 are able to be joined,
together with the rear window glass 20, by the peripheral parts
adhesive 42, even if the door inner panel 60 does not undergo a
process to form a step or the like thereon. Therefore, a processing
operation of the door inner panel 60 is able to be omitted. As a
result, according to the first variation of this example
embodiment, productivity of the back door 12 is able to be
improved, and the cost is able to be reduced accordingly.
FIG. 6 is a view of a second variation. In the second variation, a
first joint portion 70A of a door inner panel 70 and a second joint
portion 72A of a door outer panel 72 are arranged on the same plane
across a gap 74 of a predetermined width.
Furthermore, in an example shown in FIG. 6A, the first joint
portion 70A and the second joint portion 72A are joined together by
the structural adhesive 36 being filled into a portion of the gap
74 from the side opposite the rear window glass 20. Moreover, the
peripheral parts adhesive 42 is adhered to the first joint portion
70A, the second joint portion 72A, and the rear window glass 20. As
a result, an open end 74A of the gap 74 is closed off by the
peripheral parts adhesive 42.
Meanwhile, in an example shown in FIG. 6B, the first joint portion
70A and the second joint portion 72A are joined together by the
structural adhesive 36 being filled into all of the gap 74. In a
state in which the first joint portion 70A and the second joint
portion 72A are joined together, the structural adhesive 36
overflows from the open end 74A of the gap 74 and hardens in a
state accumulated on both sides of the gap 74. Then, the peripheral
parts adhesive 42 is further filled on a portion 76 where the
structural adhesive 36 has accumulated, such that the first joint
portion 70A, the second joint portion 72A, and the rear window
glass 20 are joined together. In this case, the open end 74A of the
gap 74 is covered by the peripheral parts adhesive 42 (via the
structural adhesive 36).
According to this structure, the first joint portion 70A of the
door inner panel 70 and the second joint portion 72A of the door
outer panel 72 are arranged on the same plane across the gap 74,
and the structural adhesive 36 is filled into a portion or all of
this gap 74. As a result, the door inner panel 70 and the door
outer panel 72 are joined together. Further, in this state, the
open end 74A of the gap 74 is closed off (in the case of FIG. 6A)
or covered (in the case of FIG. 6B) by the peripheral parts
adhesive 42 being adhered to the first joint portion 70A, the
second joint portion 72A, and the rear window glass 20. In this
way, in the second variation of this example embodiment, water is
able to be inhibited or prevented from penetrating to the
structural adhesive 36 side, even if the first joint portion 70A of
the door inner panel 70 and the second joint portion 72A of the
door outer panel 72 do not overlap. Also, in this case, the first
joint portion 70A and the second joint portion 72A are able to be
made flush, so a worker is able to easily arrange the peripheral
parts adhesive 42 on the first joint portion 70A of the door inner
panel 70 and the second joint portion 72A of the door outer panel
72. Furthermore, neither the first joint portion 70A of the door
inner panel 70 nor the second joint portion 72A of the door outer
panel 72 needs to undergo special processing, so a processing
operation of the panel is able to be omitted.
In addition, the positional relationship of the structural adhesive
36 and the peripheral parts adhesive 42 is such that they overlap
when viewed from the rear window glass 20 side, so an effect in
which the peripheral parts adhesive 42 directly adds to the joining
(adhering) effect of the first joint portion 70A and the second
joint portion 72A by the structural adhesive 36 is able to be
obtained. That is, the gap 74 between the first joint portion 70A
and the second joint portion 72A is set narrow, so even if the
structural adhesive 36 is filled into the gap 74, the adhesion
range (area) thereof is limited. However, the peripheral parts
adhesive 42 joins (adheres) the first joint portion 70A and the
second joint portion 72A together in a position overlapping with
the structural adhesive 36 when viewed from the rear window glass
20 side, so the peripheral parts adhesive 42 is able to add to the
adhesive force of the structural adhesive 36.
Thus, according to the second variation of this example embodiment,
the joining force (adhesive force) between the first joint portion
70A and the second joint portion 72A by the structural adhesive 36
is able to be reinforced by the peripheral parts adhesive 42.
Next, a third example embodiment of the vehicle body structure
according to the invention will be described with reference to
FIGS. 7 and 8. Component parts similar to those in the first
example embodiment and the like described above will be denoted by
like reference characters, and descriptions thereof will be
omitted.
In this third example embodiment, a variation of the second
adhering portion will be described.
FIG. 7 is a view of a first variation. In this first variation, the
structure of the first joint portion of the door inner panel 26 and
the second joint portion of the door outer panel 28 (i.e., the way
in which the panels are joined) is substantially the same as it is
in the first example embodiment described above. That is, the door
inner panel 26 includes the inner side joint portion 26C1, the
stepped portion 26C2, and the extended portion 26C3, and the outer
side joint portion 34 of the door outer panel 28 is joined by the
structural adhesive 36 to the inner side joint portion 26C1.
However, an end portion (a portion facing the stepped portion 26C2)
of the outer side joint portion 34 is cut so as to be inclined in
the opposite direction from the inclining direction of the stepped
portion 26C2. As a result, although the gap 40 is formed at the
connection between the outer side joint portion 34 and the inner
side joint portion 26C1 when the outer side joint portion 34 is
joined to the inner side joint portion 26C1, the open end 40A of
the gap 40 has a general V-shape, which differs from the first
example embodiment. Furthermore, the peripheral parts adhesive 42
is adhered to the inner side joint portion 26C1, the outer side
joint portion 34, and the rear window glass 20, and a portion is
filled inside the gap 40. The peripheral parts adhesive 42 that is
filled inside the gap 40 contacts the structural adhesive 36.
According to this structure, the peripheral parts adhesive 42 is
filled inside the gap 40 from the open end 40A of the gap 40, so
the adhesion area of the door inner panel 26 and the door outer
panel 28 increases by that amount. As a result, the joining
strength between the door inner panel 26 and the door outer panel
28 is able to be increased.
In this example embodiment, the peripheral parts adhesive 42
contacts the structural adhesive 36, but the structure is not
limited to this. A structure in which the peripheral parts adhesive
42 is filled inside the gap 40 but does not contact the structural
adhesive 36 may also be employed.
FIG. 8 is a view of a second variation. In this second variation,
the structure of the first joint portion of the door inner panel 26
and the second joint portion of the door outer panel 28 (i.e., the
way in which the panels are connected) is substantially the same as
it is in the first example embodiment described above. That is, the
door inner panel 26 includes the inner side joint portion 26C1, the
stepped portion 26C2, and the extended portion 26C3, and the outer
side joint portion 34 of the door outer panel 28 is joined by the
structural adhesive 36 to the inner side joint portion 26C1. The
gap 40 is formed between the inner side joint portion 26C1 and the
outer side joint portion 34 when the outer side joint portion 34 is
joined to the inner side joint portion 26C1. The open end 40A of
the gap 40 is positioned between the tip end portion of the outer
side joint portion 34 and the stepped portion 26C2 of the inner
side upper wall portion 26C. A second adhesive portion 80 is
arranged so as to close off the open end 40A of the gap 40. This
second adhesive portion 80 is adhered to the extended portion 26C3
of the door inner panel 26, the outer side joint portion 34, and
the rear window glass 20.
The second adhesive portion 80 includes an elastic body 82 arranged
between the door inner panel 26 and the door outer panel 28, and
the rear window glass 20, a first adhesive member 84 that is
adhered to both this elastic body 82 and the rear window glass 20
and seals a gap between these two, and a second adhesive member 86
that is adhered to the elastic body 82, and the door inner panel 26
and the door outer panel 28 and seals a gap between these. The
elastic body 82 is formed by rubber material, for example. Also,
the first adhesive member 84 and the second adhesive member 86 are
formed by double-faced tape, for example.
According to this structure, the first adhesive member 84 is
adhered to the rear window glass 20, and the second adhesive member
86 is adhered to both the door inner panel 26 and the door outer
panel 28. As a result, a gap between the first adhesive member 84
and the rear window glass 20 is sealed, and a gap between the
second adhesive member 86, and the door inner panel 26 and the door
outer panel 28 is sealed. Furthermore, the elastic body 82 is
interposed between the first adhesive member 84 and the second
adhesive member 86. Therefore, road surface input transmitted to
the frame structure portion 22 when the vehicle is traveling is
damped by the elastic body 82. As a result, according to this
example embodiment, vibration of the rear window glass 20 when the
vehicle is traveling is able to be effectively suppressed.
Next, a fourth example embodiment of the vehicle body structure
according to the invention will be described with reference to FIG.
9. Component parts similar to those in the first example embodiment
and the like described above will be denoted by like reference
characters, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.
This fourth example embodiment is similar to the first example
embodiment described above in that a frame structure portion 92 of
a back door 90 is formed by a door inner panel 94 and a door outer
panel 96, but differs from the first example embodiment in that the
sectional structure is somewhat different. More specifically, the
sectional shape of the door inner panel 94 is a hat-shape and has a
main body portion 94A that has a U-shaped sectional shape in which
an open side end portion faces a rear window glass 98, a pair of
left and right flange portions 94B and 94C that protrude out away
from each other along the rear window glass 98 from both end
portions of this main body portion 94A, and a pair of left and
right vertical wall portions 94D and 94E that bent toward the rear
window glass 98 from the end portions of these flange portions 94B
and 94C. The left and right flange portions 94B and 94C serve as
the first joint portion of the door inner panel 94, i.e., second
joint portions 96A and 96B are joined together by a low-strength
high-elongation urethane adhesive 100. As a result, a closed
sectional portion 102 is formed in the frame structure portion 92.
The low-strength high-elongation urethane adhesive 100 is not a
structural adhesive, but rather is classified as a peripheral parts
adhesive. The rear window glass 98 is also joined to a second joint
portion 96B of the door outer panel 96 by the same low-strength
high-elongation urethane adhesive 100.
Here, an open end of a gap formed in a joint (a seam) between the
door inner panel 94 and the door outer panel 96 described above,
i.e., an open end 104A of a gap 104 formed between the vertical
wall portion 94E formed on an outside end portion, in the vehicle
width direction, of the door inner panel 94, and the second joint
portion 96B of the door outer panel 96, is closed off by the
peripheral parts adhesive 42. More specifically, the vertical wall
portion 94E, the end portion on the vehicle outside in the vehicle
width direction of the second joint portion 96B, and the outside
end portion of the rear window glass 98 in the vehicle width
direction are joined together by the peripheral parts adhesive 42
being applied or filled so as to extend between the vertical wall
portion 94E, the end portion on the vehicle outside in the vehicle
width direction of the second joint portion 96B, and the outside
end portion of the rear window glass 98 in the vehicle width
direction. As a result, the open end 104A of the gap 104 formed
between the vertical wall portion 94E and the second joint portion
96B is closed off by the peripheral parts adhesive 42.
According to this structure, the manner of ensuring rigidity with
respect to the frame structure portion 92 of the back door 90
differs from that of the frame structure portion 22 described in
the first to the third example embodiments described above. That
is, in this example embodiment, the flange portions 94B and 94C of
the door inner panel 94 are joined to the second joint portions 96A
and 96B of the door outer panel 96 by the low-strength
high-elongation urethane adhesive 100, so the rigidity of the frame
structure portion 92 is lower than that of the frame structure
portion 22 of the first to the third example embodiments described
above. Therefore, the rigidity of the frame structure portion 92 is
ensured by setting a reinforcing member, not shown, on the frame
structure portion 92. Even with the frame structure portion 92
structured in this way, by joining the vertical wall portion 94E of
the door inner panel 94, and the second joint portion 96B of the
door outer panel 96 and the rear window glass 98 together, water
that has gotten in from outside the rear window glass 98 and
condensation water that has adhered to the inside of the rear
window glass 98 is stopped by the peripheral parts adhesive 42.
Because the water resistance of the peripheral parts adhesive 42 is
high, the water will not get into the gap 104, so the low-strength
high-elongation urethane adhesive 100 will not become soaked in the
water. Therefore, the basic effect of the first example embodiment
and the like described above is also able to be obtained with this
example embodiment as well.
Also, with this example embodiment, the door inner panel 94 is
provided with the vertical wall portion 94E that is bent toward the
rear window glass 98 side from the end portion of the flange
portion 4C, so this vertical wall portion 94E is able to be used as
a water stop wall. As a result, with this example embodiment, the
water stop member is able to be eliminated, so the cost is able to
be reduced accordingly.
When the second adhesive portion 80 of the second variation of the
third example embodiment described above is applied to this example
embodiment, the second joint portion 96B and the vertical wall
portion 94E may be joined together by extending the second adhesive
member 86 so that it extends between the two.
Hereinafter, the example embodiment described above will be
elaborated on. In the example embodiment described above, the
invention is applied to the back door 12 as one example of the
vehicle body structure, but it is not limited to this. That is, at
least one panel, of the first panel and the second panel, may be
applied to a portion where a windowpane is joined to a frame
structure portion made of resin. For example, the invention may
also be applied to a joint between a fixed window and a frame
portion that supports this fixed window in a side door, or a joint
between a sunroof and a frame support portion that supports this
sunroof, in a roof of a minivan.
Also, taking the first example embodiment as an example, both the
door inner panel 26 and the door outer panel 28 are made of resin,
but they are not limited to this. That is, it is sufficient to have
at least one panel, of the first panel and the second panel, be
made of resin. Therefore, at least one of the first panel and the
second panel may be made of resin, and the other of the first panel
and the second panel may be made of metal such as steel sheet or
aluminum alloy sheet.
Moreover, in the example embodiment described above, the vehicle
body structure according to the invention is applied to a back
door, but the vehicle body structure according to the invention may
also be applied to a vehicle outer panel of a hood, a roof, or a
luggage door or the like.
The structure below provides a vehicle body structure capable of
effectively preventing or inhibiting both water from outside a
vehicle outer sheet member, and condensation water that adheres to
the inside of a vehicle outer sheet member, from getting in.
One of the embodiments of the present invention may be "a vehicle
body structure including a frame structure portion configured to
define an opening, the frame structure portion including a first
panel having a first joint portion, a second panel having a second
joint portion, and a first adhesive portion that adheres to the
first joint portion and the second joint portion; a vehicle outer
sheet member that is provided on a vehicle outside of the opening
and that covers the opening; and a second adhesive portion that
adheres to the first panel, the second panel, and the vehicle outer
sheet member, wherein at least one of the first panel and the
second panel is made of resin, the second adhesive portion is
arranged closing off or covering an open end of a gap in a joint
between the first panel and the second panel, and the first
adhesive portion is arranged within the gap."
Applying this structure to a hood of a vehicle is advantageous in
that water is able to be prevented from getting into a power unit
compartment and onto auxiliary equipment, and applying the
invention to a luggage door is advantageous in that water is able
to be prevented from getting on luggage and the like stored in the
luggage compartment.
* * * * *